The term 'HOLDS OFF' can be defined by the following crossword solutions: REPELS (6 letters), WITHSTANDS (10 letters), STAVES (6 letters), RESISTS (7 letters), DETERS (6 letters), DELAYS (6 letters), and KEEPSATBAY (10 letters). Each of these words describes an action that is taken to prevent something from happening or to delay it. Repels, WITHSTANDS, staves, resists, DETERS, and delays all involve actively preventing something from occurring, while keepsatbay implies a more passive approach of keeping something away. All of these words can be used to describe the action of holding off.